Pod of dolphins filmed being ‘harassed’ by 33 swimmers sparks investigation
Drone footage has captured the moment a group of swimmers were allegedly harassing a wild pod of dolphins, sparking an investigation.
Authorities have referred 33 people to federal law enforcement for investigation after the swimmers allegedly swam around and harassed the dolphins.
The suspects from this incident were spotted by law enforcement on Sunday (March 26) during a patrol, according to the state's Department of Land and Natural Resources.
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Drones footage, which has been shared on social media, shows the group swimming after the animals off the coast of Hawaii's Big Island as they try to get away.
Officials have alleged the swimmers "appear to be aggressively pursuing, corralling, and harassing the pod."
Police and department officials met with the swimmers back on land where federal and state officials began a joint investigation.
Department officers have reportedly told the group that they were in violation of federal law.
In the US, it has been against federal law to swim within 50 yards of spinner dolphins along the Hawaiian shoreline waters since 2021.
The law came into place following concerns that many tourists were trying to swim with the animals and disrupting their sleep cycles.
Swimmers who are in waters within 3.7km of the Hawaiian Islands in and specific waters around the islands of Lanai, Maui, and Kahoolawe must abide by the ruling.
Spinner dolphins are nocturnal marine mammals that sleep during the day and hunt for food at night.
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The creatures typically eat fish and small crustaceans that swim along the water's surface at night and they often sleep in shallow bays to protect themselves from larger predators.
Reports say the animals do not look like they are sleeping in the footage as dolphins still have to keep moving and surface air.
Curious humans who approach them during the day could be disrupting their sleeping habits and keeping them awake when they should be sleeping.
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